CBMP Faculty
William H. Walker, Ph.D.
Department: Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Email: walkerw@pitt.edu
PubMed: Link
Dept / Lab Webpage: https://mageewomens.org/investigator/william-walker-phd/
CBMP groups: DNA Damage/Repair, Cell-Cycle Control and Gene Expression, Cancer, Reproductive Biology
Research Interests
The major focus of the Walker laboratory is to define how hormonal and environmental signals are transduced into changes in the activity of signaling pathways, gene expression and the differentiation of Sertoli cells in the testis. The mammalian testis is used as a model system to determine how follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone and other hormones alter cell signaling pathways to regulate the genes that are required for male fertility. Research in the Walker lab focuses on two major topics: 1) The molecular mechanisms of testosterone in the Sertoli cells that are required to support of male fertility and 2) The regulation of Sertoli cell differentiation
1) Testosterone is essential for male fertility. This steroid hormone acts in the testis through the androgen receptor (AR) in the Sertoli cell to support male germ cell development and survival as well as the release of mature spermatozoa. However, there is a lack of information regarding the molecular mechanisms by which testosterone acts to support spermatogenesis and fertility.
Our lab recently characterized a rapid (<1 min) and sustained mechanism of testosterone action (the non-classical pathway) that causes the phosphorylation and activation of the Src and ERK kinases, as well as the CREB transcription factor. This pathway of testosterone action was also found to be required for germ cells to attach to Sertoli cellls and for the relase of mature sperm. Thus, the non-classical pathway is required for at least two processes that are critical for male fertility.
We are developing transgenic mice in which endogenous AR is replaced only on Sertoli cells with AR mutants that can activate only the non-classical or the classical pathway of testosterone signaling. We will identify the spermatogeneic processes and factors that are regulated by each pathway in vivo. We will also translate our findings from the mouse models to studies of monkey and human testis ex vivo models. The result of these studies will provide 1) information needed to treat specific male infertility conditions and 2) long-needed new targets for male contraceptive research.
2) The number of Sertoli cells present in the testis determines the number of sperm that can be produced and thus the limit of male fertility. During puberty Sertoli cells differentiate and stop proliferating. Because Sertoli cells rarely die, the number of Sertolic ells present aafter puberty remains constant. We are studying the mechanism that determine the final number of Sertoli cells. Specifically, we are investigating the factors that cause Sertoli cells to differentiate. We have found that the expression and activity of USF transcription factors increases dramatically during Sertoli cell differentiation and that USF is an important regulator of differentiation-associated genes. In the future, we will investigate whether USF is required for Sertoli cell differentiation and determine what factors cause the increase in USF expression observed during Sertoli cell differentiation.
Opportunities for graduate training include:
1. The molecular mechanisms of testosterone action in the Sertoli cell. The aim of this project is to determine how testosterone acts via non-classical (non-genomic) mechanisms to rapidly (within 5 min) activate kinases and transcription factors in Sertoli cells. Studies are underway to determine whether cell signaling pathways initiated by testosterone are required for male fertility. New inhibitors of non-classical testosterone signaling and targets for male contraceptives are being investigated.
2) Regulation of Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this project is to determine the molecular mechanisms that cause Sertoli cells to stop dividing and initiate differentiation. Studies focus on the factors that support Sertoli cell proliferation as well as the mechanisms by which E-box transcription factors cause the Sertoli cell to differentiate.